Toilet cleaning device

ABSTRACT

A toilet cleaning device has an element which closes an outlet pipe of a toilet bowl so that water accumulates in the toilet bowl to clean it and then allows the water to flow out through the outlet pipe, and the element includes a base which closes the outlet pipe of the toilet bowl and a tube connected with the base and capable of being grabbed by a user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

This application contains the subject matter of Spanish patent application No. U201231183 filed on Nov. 8, 2012. The present application claims its priority from this Spanish patent application under 35 USC 119 (a)-(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to toilet cleaning devices.

More particularly the present invention relates to a toilet cleaning device that allows effective and comfortable cleaning and disinfection by the user, without direct use of hands.

In current status of techniques it is known that typical toilets or water bowls are used for hygienic needs of the user.

Those toilets, by self-nature of their use, are susceptible to need to proceed with their cleaning and disinfection, because otherwise, they are a foci of bad odors and dirtiness, not only in the household, but also particularly in places of transit and public use, such as hotels, ships, airplanes, etc.

The aforementioned cleaning and disinfection becomes especially problematic in the case of internal and lower edge area of the toilets, where water from the cistern is discharged.

It is therefore believed to be advisable to develop devices which will allow an effective cleaning and disinfection of known toilets and toilet bowls

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and efficient toilet cleaning device.

More particularly it is an object of the present invention to provide a toilet cleaning device which allows attaining an effective cleaning and disinfection of known toilets and water bowls, in a simple manner and completely effective, and particularly of internal and lower edge area of a toilet, and without the need of direct use of hands.

In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a toilet cleaning device which has an element configured to close an outlet pipe of a toilet so as to allow water to accumulate in the toilet for cleaning the toilet and then to flow out through the outlet pipe.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, this element can have a base and a tube, the base being adapted as to shape and outline for blocking of an outlet pipe or a U-bend of the toilet, while the tube being attached to the base and the tube also can be grabbed by a user.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the tube can extend through the base and have two ends, with an opening located on one of the tube's ends, and an opening located at the other end, with the opening of one of the tube's end in communication with the opening located at the other end of the same tube, and in such manner that the openings communicate different sides of the base.

Still a further feature of the present invention is that in the toilet cleaning device the tube can be flexible, or the base can be flexible, or both the tube and the base can be flexible.

In accordance with still a further feature of the present invention, the toilet cleaning device can be provided with means for regulation of water evacuation from the toilet through the tube.

The inventive means for regulation can include a plurality of orifices positioned along the tube and a sliding annular pin able to be positioned on the exterior along the tube, and also able to be rotated on the tube, that also has at least one perforation, and the axis of the pin always coincides axis of the tube.

The present invention provides the possibility of performing the cleaning of the classic and known toilets, always susceptible to the need of a cleaning after successive uses, in a simple and effective manner, without the need of direct use of hands, and in a very comfortable way, adaptable to any type of toilet, independent of shape or size, and above all, adaptable in particular to the toilet's internal and lower edge area where water discharge from the cistern is distributed.

Other features and advantages of the toilet cleaning device, purpose of this invention, will be evident from the description of the preferred embodiments, which are not exclusive, and illustrated as a non-limiting example in attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of the toilet cleaning device in accordance with the present invention, before proceeding with its use.

FIG. 2 is a view of the toilet cleaning device in accordance with the present invention, already placed for its use

FIG. 3 is a view of the toilet cleaning device in accordance with another embodiment, before proceeding with its use.

FIG. 4 is a view of the toilet cleaning device in accordance with a further embodiment, already placed for its use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The toilet cleaning device in accordance with a present invention has an element which is configured, formed and shaped so that , when it is placed in a toilet bowl, it closes an outlet pipe of the toilet bowl, allows water to accumulate in the toilet bowl for cleaning of the latter, and then allows water to be drained through the outlet pipe of the toilet bowl.

As shown in the figures, the above mentioned element of the inventive toilet cleaning device essentially includes a base 1 and a tube 2. The base is adapted in shape and outline for blocking an outlet pipe or U-bend 5 of a toilet 6, and the tube 2 is joined to the base 1, in addition to being traversed by it, and also the tube 2 can be grabbed by a user.

As can be appreciated in FIG. 1, the element of the toilet cleaning device consists of the base 1 and the tube 2 as mentioned hereinabove.

Base 1 is specifically fitted out, for example because of its flexible nature, to be able to block U-bend 5 usually present in classic toilets 6. The base 1 can be flexible for example because of its material, its shape, and both.

Tube 2 is formed so that it can be grabbed by the user, and has two ends 21 and 22. It is joined to the base 2 by end 22 in a substantially perpendicular manner to it. In addition it can pass and transverse base 1. The Tube 2 can be also flexible.

In accordance with other embodiments of realization, base 1 and tube 2 may have inclinations between them different than those described here.

Tube 2 has one opening 23 located at end 21 of tube 2, and another opening 24 located at the other end 22. The opening 23 of end 21 of tube 2 is in communication with the other opening 24 located at the other end 22 of same tube 2, and can be on the other side of base 1, because tube 2 traverses it.

To position the device on toilet 6, the user can grab tube 2, and by its handling, proceed with location of base 1 at outlet pipe or U-bend 5 of toilet 6, insuring that its shape and outline blocks U-bend 5 of toilet 6, as it appears represented in FIG. 2.

Then the cleaning process proceeds with the emptying of the contents of the cistern in toilet 6, and upon pouring of the water in usual manner, and having U-bend 5 blocked by base 1, bowl of the toilet 6 will fill up with water. The water's own weight and pressure will contribute to further anchoring of base 1 for blocking of U-bend 5.

The toilet bowl filling of water will reach a maximum level 3 of height (represented by traces in FIG. 2) limited by the position of opening 23 located at end 21 of tube 2, because then water will escape through opening 23 that is in communication with opening 24 of same tube 2, and is on the other side of base 1, and may then transverse base 1 and go out through U-bend 5, avoiding spillage to exterior of toilet 6.

When toilet 6 is already filled with water up to level 3 of height indicated, the user may proceed to pour a specific cleaning product that he/she deems adequate to that effect, to be dissolved in the accumulated water, and in place for a while for cleaning and disinfection of toilet 6, and particularly the toilet's internal and lower edge area where water discharge from the cistern is distributed.

Alternatively to embodiment of realization, in another embodiment of realization shown in FIG. 3, tube 2 has available means of regulation that allow to regulate the water level 3 height in toilet 6 upon filling up, after its blocking by base 1.

In this embodiment of realization, means for regulation are carried out by a plurality of orifices 25 located along tube 2, and an annular pin 4 with its axis coinciding with the axis 26 of tube 2. The annular pin 4 can be slid and positioned along tube 2, according to the direction indicated by the arrows. Pin 4 also has a perforation 42.

Upon sliding and rotating pin 4, coinciding its perforation 42 with any of orifices 25 of tube 2, one orifice 25 of tube 2 will be uncovered, and the remainder of orifices 25 will be capped (represented by traces in FIG. 3) by pin 4 itself, or will be above that orifice 25 coinciding with perforation 42 of pin 4.

As appreciated in FIG. 4, upon proceeding with the fill up of water in toilet bowl, level 3 of fill up (represented by traces in FIG. 4) will reach as maximum the height limited by the position of orifice 25 uncovered of tube coinciding with perforation 42 of pin 4, because then the water will evacuate through that orifice 25 towards opening 24 of tube 2, and go out through U-bend 5, avoiding spillage to exterior of toilet 6.

Therefore, the water level 3 height in toilet 6 may be regulated after blocking U-bend 5, and proceed with its fill up, because whether or not it is orifice 25 uncovered by its coinciding with perforation 42 of pin 4, water will escape through that orifice 25, and will reach the level 3 marked by it.

Also the pin 4 can be turned and positioned so that no orifice 25 will coincide with its perforation 42. In this case, water will escape through opening 23 of tube 2, as has been explained for the case represented in FIG. 2.

Then, after cleaning of toilet 6, the user may proceed to remove the device. For this purpose, the user must, upon grabbing tube 2 perform a simple movement to one side and pull the tube to counteract any possible suction effect, and so remove base 1 from U-bend 5, and water contained be emptied by U-bend 5 in the usual manner.

Toilet 6 will be completely clean and disinfected, even the most embedded dirt will be eliminated, leaving it available for its usual use, and to the point, the toilet's internal and lower area where water discharge from the cistern is distributed.

Base 1, due to its disposition, shape and flexible nature, is adaptable to blocking of a U-bend 5 for a plurality of known toilets 6.

Base 1 and tube 2 of the toilet cleaning device in accordance with the present invention may be also co-joined, making both of them a single set or piece.

In this manner, the toilet cleaning device allows the possibility to carry out the cleaning of classic and known toilets 6, always susceptible to the need of a cleaning after successive uses, in a simple and effective way, without the need of direct use of hands, and in a very comfortable manner, adaptable to any type of toilet 6, independent of shape or size. In addition, the cleaning will be especially effective and adequate for the toilet's internal and lower edge area where water discharge from the cistern is distributed.

The details, shapes, dimensions, and other accessory elements, as well as the materials used in the manufacturing of the toilet cleaning device of the invention may be conveniently substituted by others that are technically equivalent and do not deviate from the invention's essentiality nor the features defined by the claims included below. 

1. A toilet cleaning device, comprising an element configured to close an outlet pipe of a toilet so as to allow water to accumulate in the toilet for cleaning the toilet and then to allow the water to flow out of the toilet through the outlet pipe of the latter, wherein said element includes a base and a tube, wherein the base has shape and outline to block the outlet pipe of the toilet, and wherein the tube is joined to the base, and the tube is configured to be grabbed by a user, wherein the tube transverses the base and has two ends and the tube has one opening located at one of the ends and another opening located at the other of the ends, and the one opening of the tube is in communication with the other opening located at the other end of the same tube, and in such manner that openings communicate different sides of the base, wherein the one opening is open above the base for flowing of water from the toilet inwardly into the tube while the other opening is open under the base for flowing the water from the tube and under the base outwardly into the toilet, so that when the element of the toilet cleaning device is installed in the toilet and the base of the element blocks the outlet pipe of the toilet the water first accumulates in the toilet above the base outside of the element and cleans the toilet, and when the water reaches a level of the one opening the water flows from the toilet through the one opening inwardly into the tube, then the water flows through the tube, and finally the water flows from the tube outwardly through the other opening underneath the base into the outlet pipe of the toilet.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. The toilet cleaning device as defined in claim 1, wherein the tube of the element is flexible.
 5. The toilet cleaning device as defined in claim 1, wherein the base of the element is flexible.
 6. The toilet cleaning device comprising an element configured to close an outlet pipe of a toilet so as to allow water to accumulate in the toilet for cleaning the toilet and then to allow the water to flow out of the toilet through the outlet pipe of the latter, wherein said element includes a base and a tube, wherein the base has shape and outline to block the outlet pipe of the toilet, and wherein the tube is joined to the base, and the tube is configured to be grabbed by a user, wherein the tube has means of regulation of a toilet water evacuation level through the tube.
 7. The toilet cleaning device as defined in claim 6, wherein the means of regulation include a plurality of orifices positioned along the tube and an annular pin capable of being slipped and positioned externally along the tube and rotated over same, that has at least one perforation, wherein the pin has an axis coinciding with an axis of the tube.
 8. A method of toilet cleaning, comprising the steps of providing an element including a base and a tube extending from the base and having one opening above the base and the other opening communicating with the one opening and opening below the base; installing the element in a toilet so that the base of the element blocks an outlet pipe of the toilet; filling the toilet with water so that the water first accumulates in the toilet outside of the element above the base and cleans the toilet, and when the water reaches a level of the one opening the water flows from the toilet through the one opening inwardly into the tube, then through the tube, and finally from the tube outwardly through the other opening underneath the base into the outlet pipe of the toilet. 